Pedro Pascal joins Game of Thrones as The Red Viper

HBO has cast Pedro Pascal in the plumb role of Prince Oberyn Martell in Game of Thrones.

The news is the first big casting announcement for season four and is a significant role.

According to the books, the character is nicknamed ‘The Red Viper’. He is introduced arriving at King’s Landing with the intention of gaining revenge for the death of his sister who was murdered by The Hound’s brother Gregor ‘The Mountain’ Clegane.

Pascal has previously been seen on The Good Wife in the recurring role of Nathan Landry as well as Burn Notice: The Fall of Sam Axe, as Comandante Veracruz, and more recently the series Graceland as Juan Badillo.

The fourth season of Game of Thrones begins next month (August) and will premiere next spring.